1959 718 RSK

Following the success of their first purpose-built sports racer, the 550 Spyder, Porsche developed the 718 RSK with improved bodywork for better aerodynamics, a space frame of seamless steel tubing, and upgraded suspension with a revised torsion-bar setup. Rules changes to the FIA Formula races in 1957 allowed for cars with enveloping bodywork to compete in Grand Prix events, so Porsche took advantage of this and moved the seating position of a number of Spyders to the center and covered the cockpit opening with a fairing.

Of the 34 Porsche 718 RSKs built, six were built with this center seat configuration, and four had the ability to be converted between center and offset seating. This 1959 718 RSK is one of those four and is presented here in its center seat configuration. Delivered new to Christian Goethals of Belgium, this RSK was raced extensively throughout the 1959/60 season, racking up an overall win at the Leopoldville Grand Prix in the Belgian Congo and a 3rd in Class at the 1960 Buenos Aires 1000km Grand Prix.

The car sports its original Wendler bodywork as well as its Type 547/3 engine and transaxle and has been restored for vintage racing with an engine rebuild by 4-cam master Bill Doyle at Rennwagen. From the limited photos, the car appears to be in very good condition and retains its ability to convert to a standard sports-racing setup in only a few hours.

Our last sale for a 718 RSK was at Monterey in 2022, with a Werks Spyder bringing $4,300,000. Prior to that, we saw $2.9m for a car at Amelia Island earlier in the year. Since then, we have had a number of no-sales, with this particular Spyder failing to sell twice last year, the first at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in January, followed by a $3.5m bid in August at Mecum’s Monterey sale. So, was the third time a charm for this rare center-seat Spyder? Negative. It failed to sell again, and unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it had a bid. If history has anything to say, maybe we’ll see this one again in Monterey. Hopefully, it finds a home and gets back on track.

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